Oxford City Stars’ losing run in South Division 1 extended to eight successive games as they suffered another brace of defeats.

The basement boys were beaten by the top two, losing 7-3 at home to Chelmsford Chieftains, before going down 8-5 at Streatham Redskins.

Chelmsford got off to a flying start in Saturday’s clash with early goals from Michael Ranby and Cameron Bartlett.

Josh Oliver pulled one back for Oxford in the seventh minute, but Ross Brears restored Chieftains’ two-goal cushion by scoring on the powerplay after Stars captain James Clarke, on his first appearance in a month, was penalised for hooking.

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Bartlett grabbed his second to make it 4-1 at the halfway point, and completed his hat-trick shortly after, with Bailey Chittock setting him up on both occasions.

Stars reduced the deficit to 5-2 at the end of the period when Jamie Newton shot home from close range, but Chelmsford re-established their four-goal lead just 54 seconds into the third period through Danny Hammond.

Josh Oliver got his second of the game shortly after, but Ranby also completed a brace for Chelmsford, who went top for 24 hours with the victory.

There had been positive moments against Chieftains, but the following day as Stars found themselves 5-0 down against Streatham by the end of the first period.

Evander Grinnell sparked the goal spree, with Joe Allen scored off a Adam Mahoney shot to make it 2-0.

Oxford’s Michal Tomasik checked Steven Fisher from behind, and was later ejected from the game for a further misconduct.

With Callum Best, Louis Lockwood and Joe Johnston adding to Redskins’ tally, Stars left the ice shell-shocked.

Oxford started the second period in determined fashion, with goals from Josh Florey and Darren Elliott getting them back in the game.

Adam Wood made it 6-2 to Streatham, but Stars replied again with Joe Edwards finishing a great move involving Josh and Nick Oliver.

Newton set up Elliott to make it 6-4, and Florey grabbed his second just before the end of the period.

However, that was to prove the end of the comeback as they conceded goals from Adam Wood and Sean Scarborough in the last period as the hosts returned to the top.

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